Despite being no fan or organised religion, Iéve always felt thereés plenty that can be learnt from the Bible é especially the story of Lot and his familyés flight from Sodom and Gomorrah.

The tale has it all. A group of men trying to have their way with Lotés two male guests, the familyés escape into the hills, Lotés wife turning into a pillar of salt and finally his two virgin daughters ravishing him in a cave. It beats Mosesé sailing trip any day of the week.

But, as my R.E teacher was always at pains to point out in those rare moments he wasnét being struck by chewed-up bits of paper, the Bibleés more than just titillating stories é ités the guide to living your whole life.

On that point, Rochdale might want to take note.

'Don't look back'

As God said to Lot, so the fans are saying to the Dale hierarchy. éNever look back, never look back,é they cry. But Lotés wife did look back and turned into giant beef jerky. Daleés board will hope to avoid a similar plight in naming their new manager.

Steve Parkin is the metaphorical Sodom (or should that be Gomorrah). Now weére not suggesting that Steve represents raping, pillaging and arson, but he does represent Daleés past.

Parkin did well in his spell at Spotland, but he walked out for the bright lights of Barnsley. Our feedback suggests most Dale fans want a new start, a new era. A leopard can change his spots everywhere bar Spotland it seems.

So if not Parkin, then who?

The club have said theyéve received a couple of quality applications and will have had other phonecalls from the payphones of a dozen Job Centres up and down the country.

Find a manager out of a job and heéll be linked with Dale.

John Aldridge is ready for a return. Aldo could be the natural successor to Simmo é a manager whose cup exploits far exceeded any league achievements. His overall record at Tranmere read 97 wins to 93 victories é not great, but, letés be realistic, Hector Cuper isnét in the running.

Waddo é as no-one calls him é is a frontrunner despite a dismal spell at the McAlpine Stadium. He lost 23 of his 43 games and was, surely uniquely, sacked twice. The first time he was reinstated when the club realised they couldnét afford his pay-off, the second time they just thought éwhat the hell, he has to goé. Suffice it to say, he would probably not be a popular choice.

Kevin Ratcliffe is another possible. Ratcliffe has so far managed Chester City and Shrewsbury. Chester were relegated out of Division Three the season after he left and he took Shrewsbury down the season just gone despite beating Everton in the FA Cup. If Dale think they need to take one step back before moving forward they might consider him, though it could be a very big step back.

Promoting a player is another option and Richard Jobson would be the obvious choice. Dale might think ités too big a risk to appoint an untried manager, but they might also think ités worth the risk given the other candidates.

Glimmer of hope

But there is one glimmer of hope, walking bravely forward through the Biblical sandstorm. Enter Steve Cotterill.

Cotterill is back on the shelf after a spell as number two to Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland and despite a hefty pay-off heéll be desperate to get back in the managerial hotseat. His third division credentials are superb é guiding Cheltenham from non-league football into the second division before taking charge at Stoke City.

He then left the Potters after just 13 games é unlucky for some and especially him given his Wearside Woes.

That wonét have dampened his enthusiasm, though. Young enough to bounce back, Cotterill has been bloodied, but has got back up and will be desperate to restore his reputation. Spotland could be the perfect place for that rehabilitation to begin.